Wind farms turn in record growth in 2012

Wind farms added a record 44.7 gigawatts of electricity production last year, increasing capacity 19 percent to 282.5 gigawatts, the Global Wind Energy Council said Monday.

The trade body said the United States had a record year, adding more than 13 gigawatts of wind capacity due to tax incentives, helping it nearly tie China where growth in the construction of wind turbines slowed.

"While China paused for breath, both the US and European markets had exceptionally strong years," said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council.